Animal-trap



(ModeL) W. SWARTZ.

ANIMAL TRAP. I

No. 251,388. Patented Dec. 27,1881.

WITNESSES 1.7V V'EJV' TOR Amww Alttorneys STATES UNITE WILLIAM SWARTZ, OF NOVA, OHIO.

ANIMAL-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 251,388, dated December 27, 1881.

Application filed November 5, 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM SWAR'rZ, of Nova, in the county of Ashland and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Animal -Traps; and I do hereby'declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Figure l is a longitudinal vertical sectional view. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section. Fig. 3 is a sectional view, showing the arrangement of the spring; and Fig. 4 is a detail view of the bait-holder.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like letters of reference.

This invention relates to that class of animal-traps which are known as selfsetting, and it consists in certain improvements in the construction of the same, which will behereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings hereto annexed, A represents a frame or casing, the sides of which are provided, near the front, with openings B B, located opposite each other.

C is a shaft journaled in suitable bearings in the sides of frame A, and provided with radially-projecting wings or doors D, usually four in number, reaching nearly to the bottom of said frame or casin g.

To one end of the shaft 0 is secured one end of a coiled spring, E, the other end of which is attached to a pin or stud, F, upon the side of the casin g, so that when wound the tendency of said spring shall be to turn the shaft (3 in the direction indicated by the arrow. The spring may be covered by a suitable box or casing to protect it from injury.

The wings or doors D are provided with latch strips Gr, adjustable by means of set screws H, working in slots 1, so as to project any desired distance beyond the edges of the doors in order to engage the trip mechanism, which consists of pin or post J, beveled at its upper end and sliding in a suitable opening, K, in the bottom of the frame, and in the perforated arm of a bracket, L, above which is arranged a spring, M, coiled around the trip-post (Model) shown, and provided with an arm, T, projectiug through the bottom of the frame, by which the spring S may be drawn out of the way when it is desired to revolve the door-carrying shaft in'the act of winding the actuating-spring.

The ends of the doors D are provided with flanges U, of tin or other sheet metal, and their edges with points or barbs V, to assist in preventing the entrapped'animals from escaping.

The bait-holder consists of a spring-finger, W, secured by a staple or eyebolt to the end of the casing, and capable of having itsfree end adjusted under a bail, X, thus clamping and holding the bail securely in position.

Y is a box, secured detachably to the rear end of frame A by pins Z and a hook, A, or in any other suitable manner, and provided with a self-closing swing-door, B, constructed of wire in the usual manner, and communicating with the frame or casing. The outer end of box Y is to be provided with a window, 0, as shown.

The operation of my invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed. By withdrawing spring S the shaft C may be turned so as to wind spring E, and thus set the trap. The entrance-openings B B, being located opposite each other, make the inside of the trap sufliciently light to attract the animals to the bait. When the trip-plate P is stepped upon, the trip-bolt is withdrawn from the latch G of the door engaged at the time, thus causing shaft 0 to be revolved and the animal to be pushed into the trap. At the same time the trip-bolt rises and engages the latch of the next door, thus resetting the trap. The entrapped animal, in endeavoring to escape, will enter the box Y, from which it may afterward be taken and destroyed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States 1. In an animal trap, the combination,with the frame A, of the shaft 0, having doors D, provided with the adjustable latches G, the trip-post J, hinged arm 0, having plate P, and the spring M, all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the revolving springactuated shaft 0, having doors D, the trip mechanism, as herein described, and the bev eled spring S, having arm T, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. 1n a self-setting animal-trap constructed substantially as described, the doors D, having flanges U and barbs V, as and'i'or the purpose set forth.

at. The herein-described improved animaltrap, consisting of the frame A, having openings B, spring'actuated shaft 0, having doors D, provided with adjustable latches G, the trip mechanism, and the bait-holder, in combination with the detachable box Y, having swing-door B and Window 0, substantially as and for the purpose shown and specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM SWARTZ.

Witnesses:

GEORGE MILLER, J AMES MALCOLM. 

